Find out how you can get involved in writing letters and emails to support BMC campaigns and use your voice to make a difference.

Get Involved
Writing letters and e-mails direct to your MP and other decision-makers can really make a difference to the work of the BMC. Join other BMC members and make sure your voice is heard. Letters and e-mails to decision-makers can make a big difference to the BMC for campaigns within England and Wales. MPs have testified to the impact that letters and e-mails can have on shaping political decision-making.

Shaping the political agenda
Research shows that MPs favour a personal letter from a constituent over postcards and e-petitions. It may seem old fashioned but, in terms off their effectiveness, a little time and thought spent on a letter can pay dividends in getting results for issues affecting climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

Who can be a letter writer?
BMC members and supporters come from all occupations and lifestyles and bring with them their diversity of experiences and knowledge, and most importantly their passion for climbing, hill walking and mountaineering.

We'll support you
We don't expect you to do this unsupported. We send you a background briefing that will help you write your letter containing all the information on what the BMC is campaigning for. We will also alert you to political developments relevant to climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers that you may not be aware of, both here in the UK and in Europe.

Writing to your MP - making it work
Your MP is your representative in the House of Commons. Contacting them to gain their support for an issue can make a difference. Your MP can take a number of actions on your behalf, including:

• Writing to Government Ministers to raise your concerns. If your MP writes to a Minister on your behalf they will receive a reply signed by the Minister; whereas a letter sent directly to a Minister will probably only be seen by a civil servant.
• Signing an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons. These motions give the Government an idea of what issues matter to MPs, and they can be influential if enough MPs sign them.
• Raising issues during debates and tabling parliamentary questions to the Government.

Writing a letter to your MP
Tips on making your letter effective:

• Keep it short. One side of paper is usually sufficient to make your points and very long letters are less likely to be read.
• Be polite. The response that you get is likely to be more positive and helpful if your approach is a constructive one. If you have time, thank your MP for their reply. This will help to build a better relationship with them.
• Use your own words. The briefings on issues, which you will find on these web pages, will explain the key points to make. However, you are likely to make a more significant impact on your MP if you express these points in your own words.
• If possible, give an example from your local area that supports the points you have made. If you do not know of an example do not worry - your letter will still have an impact.

Addressing your MP:
All MPs can be reached in writing at the House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA in addition to their constituency offices. Most MPs should be addressed using their name followed by 'MP' for example 'Joe Bloggs MP'. Then simply begin the letter 'Dear Mr Bloggs'.

Who is my MP?
You can find out who your MP is by entering your postcode into the constituency location service at www.theyworkforyou.com. From there you can choose to contact your MP by telephone, email, post, or at a surgery. Names, addresses and telephone numbers for all MPs are also available from the local party headquarters.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Green Party
www.greenparty.org.uk/index.php?nav=localcontacts

Liberal Democrats
www.libdems.org.uk/party/ people/inyourarea.html

Conservatives
www.conservatives.com

Labour
www.labour.org.uk

« Back